Franchise Notes

Clippers banners during home games will cover up the Lakers' championship banners

SI.com's Ben Golliver wrote Clippers coach and Senior VP/Basketball Operations Doc Rivers has "taken the extraordinary step of hanging massive posters that depict his players in the Staples Center’s upper deck, where they can conveniently cover up the Lakers’ 16 championship banners" (SI.com, 10/19). In L.A., Eric Pincus noted when the Clippers play at the arena as the home team, "seven oversized Clippers banners hide every bit of the Lakers' storied history" (L.A. TIMES, 10/19). Lakers G Nick Young said of the move, "That's disrespectful. We got to talk to Doc. He can't have that. We got to do something about that." Lakers G Steve Nash said, "I guess if you were in the Clippers' organization you probably would want to do that, too. It's their arena on their night, so I would try to make it feel like home" (ESPNLA.com, 10/20).

HOT SEAT: In Philadelphia, Sam Carchidi noted the Flyers are 1-7 with a total of 11 goals, and asked if Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is "next" to be fired after the team dismissed coach Peter Laviolette three games into the season. Team President & COO Peter Luukko said that the answer is "no." Luukko said that Holmgren's job is "not in jeopardy, that the team just needs time to adjust to new coach Craig Berube's system." Carchidi noted Flyers fans are "angry -- not just because the team isn't winning and isn't entertaining, but because of a lack of a 60-minute commitment" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 10/20).

SABRES SHEATHED: In Buffalo, John Vogl noted the Sabres for several years "have been hosting 'Road Crew' parties during select out-of-town trips." Former players and team broadcasters "head to a bar or restaurant, and fans can hang out with them for a $10 donation to the Sabres' foundation." The next two were "supposed to be" in San Jose and L.A. early next month, but "one big problem developed: Only a few dozen people planned to show up." The Sabres "looked at the lackluster sales and canceled the events." It is "not clear whether they picked cities that are short on Buffalo fans, or if few people want to party with an organization that’s not fun at the moment" (BUFFALO NEWS, 10/20).